He
only discovered some faint symptoms, which he instantly retracted, of
dissatisfaction with Buckingham. All his public measures, and all the
alliances into which he entered, were founded on the system of enmity to
the Austrian family, and of war to be carried on for the recovery of the
Palatinate.

The states of the United Provinces were at this time governed by
Maurice; and that aspiring prince, sensible that his credit would
languish during peace, had, on the expiration of the twelve years'
truce, renewed the war with the Spanish monarchy. His great capacity in
the military art would have compensated the inferiority of his forces,
had not the Spanish armies been commanded by Spinola, a general equally
renowned for conduct, and more celebrated for enterprise and activity.
In such a situation, nothing could, be more welcome to the republic than
the prospect of a rupture between James and the Catholic king; and
they flattered themselves, as well from the natural union of interests
between them and England, as from the influence of the present
conjuncture, that powerful succors would soon march to their relief.
Accordingly an army of six thousand men was levied in England, and
sent over to Holland, commanded by four young noblemen, Essex, Oxford,
Southampton, and Willoughby, who were ambitious of distinguishing
themselves in so popular a cause, and of acquiring military experience
under so renowned a captain as Maurice.

It might reasonably have been expected, that, as religious zeal had made
the recovery of the Palatinate appear a point of such vast importance in
England, the same effect must have been produced in France, by the force
merely of political views and considerations. While that principality
remained in the hands of the house of Austria, the French dominions were
surrounded on all sides by the possessions of that ambitious family, and
might be invaded by superior forces from every quarter. It concerned the
king of France, therefore, to prevent the peaceable establishment of
the emperor in his new conquests; and both by the situation and greater
power of his state, he was much better enabled than James to give succor
to the distressed palatine.[*]

* See Collection of State Papers by the earl of Clarendon,
p. 302.

But though these views escaped not Louis,
nor Cardinal Richelieu, who now began to acquire an ascendant in the
French court, that minister was determined to pave the way for his